-------------- BEGIN sfbirds.v001.n279 --------------
001 - Luke Cole
Subject: Philly Vireo behavior
Date: Fri, 1 Oct 1999 08:32:50 -0700 (PDT)
I got to see the Philly Vireo on Wednesday, and the most interesting thing
about it in my all-too-brief observation was its behavior: it had the same
type of "peering" behavior as the Yellow-green Vireo at Skyline Grove last
fall, looking up out of one eye, then the other. It did this almost the
entire time I observed it (about two minutes total, over a five minute
period). Have others noticed this behavior?
I also suppose my habit of calling it a "Philly" Vireo would be irksome to
those actually from Philadelphia, where they no doubt view that appellation
with the same disdain as we view "Frisco."
Luke
Luke Cole
San Francisco, CA
luke@crpesf.org
--------------- MESSAGE sfbirds.v001.n279.2 ---------------
From: JRomeu@ixl.com
Subject: RE: [SFBirds] Philly Vireo behavior
Date: Fri, 1 Oct 1999 13:30:12 -0400
Don't mind the "Philly" reference at all (you follow the Phillies long
enough and you learn not to mind).
I, like other San Franciscoans like to chide out-of-towners for their
disdainfull use of "Frisco" but that's only in the spirit of
oneuppersonship. I think people who really are offended are afflicted by
that California psyche-syndrome peculiarity of taking everything personally.
(Live in the Big Apple for a while to deal with this problem...)
-----Original Message-----
From: Luke Cole [mailto:luke@crpesf.org]
Sent: Friday, October 01, 1999 8:33 AM
To: sfbirds@lists.best.com
Subject: [SFBirds] Philly Vireo behavior
I got to see the Philly Vireo on Wednesday, and the most interesting thing
about it in my all-too-brief observation was its behavior: it had the same
type of "peering" behavior as the Yellow-green Vireo at Skyline Grove last
fall, looking up out of one eye, then the other. It did this almost the
entire time I observed it (about two minutes total, over a five minute
period). Have others noticed this behavior?
I also suppose my habit of calling it a "Philly" Vireo would be irksome to
those actually from Philadelphia, where they no doubt view that appellation
with the same disdain as we view "Frisco."
Luke
Luke Cole
San Francisco, CA
luke@crpesf.org
--------------- MESSAGE sfbirds.v001.n279.3 ---------------
From: "Mark W. Eaton"
Subject: Identification Quiz Answer
Date: Fri, 01 Oct 1999 22:18:27 -0700
I've posted the answer for the last identification quiz (okay, so it was too
easy). I have another mystery seabird planned when I get back; hopefully
we'll
get a few more responses.
http://www.best.com/~eaton/Birding/Identification%20Quizzes/IdentificationQuiz.html
Mark
--
Mark Eaton 1524 36th Avenue
mailto:eaton@best.com San Francisco, CA, 94122-3123
http://www.best.com/~eaton http://goldengate.ca.audubon.org
"I tell you the more I think, the more I feel that there is nothing more
truly artistic than to love people."
- Vincent Van Gogh
--------------- END sfbirds.v001.n279 ---------------
-------------- BEGIN sfbirds.v001.n280 --------------
001 - "jason yakich" - Yellow-headed Blackbird
005 - "Mark W. Eaton"
Subject: Chain of Lakes
Date: Sat, 02 Oct 1999 10:50:32 -0700
10/2, 0730-1000
---------------
-Philadelphia vireo at North Lake viewed really well a few times, adjacent
to a WAVI at one point (no vocalizations), mostly in the willows along the
west side
-Townsend's and Wilson's warbers, warbling vireos, downy woodpecker, song
and fox sparrows, belted kingfisher also at North Lake
-Hutton's vireo (2) at Middle Lake, also a flicker, ravens pestering hawk
(red-shouldered?)
--------------- MESSAGE sfbirds.v001.n280.2 ---------------
From: Dan Murphy
Subject: yellow-headed blackbird
Date: Sat, 02 Oct 1999 13:21:31 -0800
Hi,
John McConnell and I birded a bit of SF today. We were among the throng who
saw the Philadelphia Vireo and other more usual stuff at North Lake. Middle
Lake was pretty dead. The eucs at the south east corner are finally coming
into bloom so we may still get a thing or two there. The Buffalo Paddock is
finally picking up with nice numbers of Killdeer, Tri-colored Blackbirds, a
Black-bellied Plover (I think a first for that field) and, thanks to the
sharp
eye of Todd Morris, a Yellow-headed Blackbird. We stopped at Fort Funston
where the best we could do was a Black-throated Gray Warbler and a very pale
Savannah Sparrow.
Good birding, Dan
--------------- MESSAGE sfbirds.v001.n280.3 ---------------
From: "Mark W. Eaton"
Subject: 10.2.99 SF Birds
Date: Sat, 02 Oct 1999 17:36:26 -0700
In addition to the YELLOW-HEADED BLACKBIRD (city bird), I also had an
ASH-THROATED FLYCATCHER in the restoration area north of Skyline Grove.
Mark
--
Mark Eaton 1524 36th Avenue
mailto:eaton@best.com San Francisco, CA, 94122-3123
http://www.best.com/~eaton http://goldengate.ca.audubon.org
"I tell you the more I think, the more I feel that there is nothing more
truly artistic than to love people."
- Vincent Van Gogh
--------------- MESSAGE sfbirds.v001.n280.4 ---------------
From: Dan Singer
Subject: Yellow-headed Blackbird
Date: Sat, 02 Oct 1999 18:10:33 -0700
Hi all,
I finally had an opportunity to see the Philly Vireo late this afternoon.
It was on the 'willow island' along the west side of North Lake where many
others have reported it. Nice bird. I didn't hear it vocalize.
More exciting for me was the Yellow-headed Blackbird at the bison zoo. At
4:30-4:45 it was feeding fairly close to the fence along JFK Drive with
lots of other blackbirds. I was able to watch it bathe in the mud puddles
near the orange cones and was feeling rather smug after having four
blackbird species in view at once. Does anyone have an opinion on the sex
of this bird? At first look I assumed it was a female, but after a more
lengthy study and then going home and reading a bit about first-basic
plumages I've decided I don't know. I thought perhaps it had too much white
in the primary coverts for a first-basic female, but I'm not sure how much
white females can show. Adult females lack the white wing patch. This bird
did show whitish streaking on the anterior belly, particulary visible after
it bathed, so maybe it is a female as I'm not sure hatch year males show
this. Anyone more clear on this subject than I am? In any event, I only
viewed the bird through binoculars and, perhaps, with a scope someone else
might see more than I did. Oh, another thing is males are noticeably larger
than females. This bird was clearly larger than all the others (including
starlings), but obviously a size comparison between known sexes wasn't
possible. One neat thing I had never noticed before is that the cloaca is
ringed in yellow. Very fancy!
DSg
--------------- MESSAGE sfbirds.v001.n280.5 ---------------
From: "Mark W. Eaton"
Subject: Re: [SFBirds] Yellow-headed Blackbird
Date: Sat, 02 Oct 1999 18:44:30 -0700
Dan Singer wrote:
> One neat thing I had never noticed before is that the cloaca is
> ringed in yellow. Very fancy!
>
After I had originally located the bird, the flock flew, perhaps in response
to
the two RTHA that were glidingly idly in the vicinity. When I was
rescanning
the flock, I saw this very field mark (of which I was not aware) as the bird
was
facing away from me and assumed (correctly) that this had to be the bird.
Mark
--
Mark Eaton 1524 36th Avenue
mailto:eaton@best.com San Francisco, CA, 94122-3123
http://www.best.com/~eaton http://goldengate.ca.audubon.org
"I tell you the more I think, the more I feel that there is nothing more
truly artistic than to love people."
- Vincent Van Gogh
--------------- MESSAGE sfbirds.v001.n280.6 ---------------
From: Mike Feighner
Subject: Re: [SFBirds] Chain of Lakes
Date: Sat, 02 Oct 1999 21:48:20 -0700
Jason and SFBirders:
I had arrived at the Philadelphia Vireo location prior to 7 AM. Soon
other birders arrived finding and trying to point out the Philadelphia
Vireo to me in a willow about mid-way between the concrete foot-bridge
and the so-called isthmus at the west side of North Lake. After a while
I finally got onto the Philadelphia Vireo. At no time did the
Philadelphia Vireo vocalize in any form. Jason, that was likely a
Red-shouldered Hawk. I saw one at the Parking lot at Middle Lake.
I walked over to the Buffalo Paddock to see if the Tricolored Blackbirds
were still around. In fact there were still about 30 of them still
there in the open field to the east of the paddock. At this early hour
the yellow-headed blackbird had not yet arrived ;>(
Moved then on to Point Reyes to try for the Gray-cheeked Thrush at the
Lighthouse Trees. The thrush made a no show, but a Connecticut Warbler
did a nice show at the so-called Ovenbird tree.
--
Mike Feighner, Livermore, CA, pac_loon@pacbell.net
--------------- MESSAGE sfbirds.v001.n280.7 ---------------
From: Dan Murphy
Subject: isthmus?
Date: Sat, 02 Oct 1999 22:37:10 -0800
Hi,
Here we are with this season's geography dilemma. Last year it was Double
Rock or Shipyard Rock or whatever rock. Then we couldn't decide the
direction
which the Skyline Grove is oriented. By the way, it remains unchanged. Now
we've invented the isthmus of Golden Gate Park, or perhaps of North Lake, or
perhaps of Prothonatory. Here's your geography tip for this birding season
-
it's Bamboo Island. Well, at least that's what they named it when the
Chain-of-Lakes was designed in the late 1880's. The name never came into
question until Rec and Park cut North Lake in half with that snappy levee.
That would have been some time in the 1980's. They wanted to isolate a
"leak"
which was sucking too much water out of the lake during the drought. They
wasted a few tons of bentonite in at least 2 efforts to seal the lake's
bottom. I guess they lost interest because they apparently failed to fix
the
leak and they just didn't bother removing the levee. It's ok though because
we have an isthmus now instead of an island. By the way, what happens when
they finally get around to removing the levee, putting a channel around the
lake, and perhaps even raising the lake level? Wait a minute, I think I've
got it! Then it will be a drowned land bridge.
Whatever, it's now a monument to the marvelous job of four successive
administrations in city government. Thanks Willie, Frank, Art and Dianne.
Don't forget to bird the Vista Grande (roll that r) Canal.
Dan :-)
--------------- MESSAGE sfbirds.v001.n280.8 ---------------
From: Mike Feighner
Subject: Re: [SFBirds] isthmus?
Date: Sun, 03 Oct 1999 09:47:22 -0700
Dan Murphy wrote:
>
> Hi,
>
> Here we are with this season's geography dilemma. Last year it was Double
> Rock or Shipyard Rock or whatever rock. Then we couldn't decide the
direction
> which the Skyline Grove is oriented. By the way, it remains unchanged. Now
> we've invented the isthmus of Golden Gate Park, or perhaps of North Lake,
or
> perhaps of Prothonatory. Here's your geography tip for this birding
season -
> it's Bamboo Island. Well, at least that's what they named it when the
> Chain-of-Lakes was designed in the late 1880's.
.....
> Whatever, it's now a monument to the marvelous job of four successive
> administrations in city government. Thanks Willie, Frank, Art and Dianne.
>
> Don't forget to bird the Vista Grande (roll that r) Canal.
>
> Dan :-)
Dan and SFBirders:
Am I starting another controversy here? If the name was incorrect, then
why wasn't the correct one ever made public to us? I have heard the
term "isthmus" before, but then when I went though recent BIRDWEST and
SFBirds reports, I find it nowhere. What I was calling the "isthmus" is
the row of berry brambles where the Prothonotary Warbler had shown up a
couple years ago. I certainly didn't see any bamboo there, and it
certainly doesn't look like a bamboo island.
You mention the direction complex. I never had a problem with the
direction as the Pacific Ocean is to the west. Once that fact is in
place, North, South, and East fall right into place.
Now, we have another new one: the Vista Grande Canal. No where does
that one come from? I have never heard it mentioned, and I have no idea
where that is, or have I not been listening?
--
Mike Feighner, Livermore, CA, pac_loon@pacbell.net
--------------- MESSAGE sfbirds.v001.n280.9 ---------------
From: Mike Feighner
Subject: Re: [SFBirds] not about birds or conservation
Date: Sun, 03 Oct 1999 10:02:37 -0700
Dan Murphy wrote:
>
> Oh, there is a bird. I had a female Pintail at the south end of Lake
Merced
> this afternoon. Nothing was along the Vista Grande Canal or around the
> Boathouse. If you're one of those ACR folks and wondering why I'm
mentioning
> Pintail -- they're pretty rare in San Francisco.
>
> Best, Dan
Dan:
I'm listening now. Going through my 50+ e-mails I get per day today, I
see you mention the Vista Grande Canal in an earlier post. I still have
no idea about that one although I know where the Boat House is at Lake
Merced. Now, what or who are ACR folks? I guess I'm not one of them.
I checked my San Francisco County list, and Northern Pintail is missing.
--
Mike Feighner, Livermore, CA, pac_loon@pacbell.net
--------------- END sfbirds.v001.n280 ---------------
-------------- BEGIN sfbirds.v001.n281 --------------
001 - Dan Murphy
Subject: Re: [SFBirds] isthmus?
Date: Sun, 03 Oct 1999 21:06:38 -0800
Hi Mike,
I first heard the "isthmus" used a week or two ago. Who knows where it
started? There are official names for those other islands too, but I can't
recall them. Bamboo Island apparently is named for that weedy tall grass on
the island. It may actually have had bamboo on it originally. The Vista
Grande Canal is one I learned myself only recently. It's that concrete
channel that looks like an open sewer across the street from the concrete
bridge at the south end of Lake Merced. I only have there questions about
that one: Where's the vista? What's so grand about it? Is that really a
canal?
If we actually do the B2K event next year we should have even more fun with
geography. I'm sure at least one of us knows the name for every square inch
of San Francisco.
Best, Dan
Mike Feighner wrote:
>
> Dan Murphy wrote:
> >
> > Hi,
> >
> > Here we are with this season's geography dilemma. Last year it was
Double
> > Rock or Shipyard Rock or whatever rock. Then we couldn't decide the
direction
> > which the Skyline Grove is oriented. By the way, it remains unchanged.
Now
> > we've invented the isthmus of Golden Gate Park, or perhaps of North
Lake, or
> > perhaps of Prothonatory. Here's your geography tip for this birding
season -
> > it's Bamboo Island. Well, at least that's what they named it when the
> > Chain-of-Lakes was designed in the late 1880's.
> .....
> > Whatever, it's now a monument to the marvelous job of four successive
> > administrations in city government. Thanks Willie, Frank, Art and
Dianne.
> >
> > Don't forget to bird the Vista Grande (roll that r) Canal.
> >
> > Dan :-)
>
> Dan and SFBirders:
>
> Am I starting another controversy here? If the name was incorrect, then
> why wasn't the correct one ever made public to us? I have heard the
> term "isthmus" before, but then when I went though recent BIRDWEST and
> SFBirds reports, I find it nowhere. What I was calling the "isthmus" is
> the row of berry brambles where the Prothonotary Warbler had shown up a
> couple years ago. I certainly didn't see any bamboo there, and it
> certainly doesn't look like a bamboo island.
>
> You mention the direction complex. I never had a problem with the
> direction as the Pacific Ocean is to the west. Once that fact is in
> place, North, South, and East fall right into place.
>
> Now, we have another new one: the Vista Grande Canal. No where does
> that one come from? I have never heard it mentioned, and I have no idea
> where that is, or have I not been listening?
>
> --
> Mike Feighner, Livermore, CA, pac_loon@pacbell.net
--------------- MESSAGE sfbirds.v001.n281.2 ---------------
From: Luke Cole
Subject: Re: [SFBirds] isthmus?
Date: Sun, 03 Oct 1999 23:02:19 -0700
At 09:06 PM 10/3/1999 -0800, you wrote:
>Hi Mike,
>
>I first heard the "isthmus" used a week or two ago. Who knows where it
>started? There are official names for those other islands too, but I can't
>recall them. Bamboo Island apparently is named for that weedy tall grass
on
>the island.
My vote is Prothonotary Promontory, but I'm an old renamer from way back.
Luke
Luke Cole
luke@crpesf.org
San Francisco
--------------- MESSAGE sfbirds.v001.n281.3 ---------------
From: Harry Fuller
Subject: weekend birds
Date: Mon, 04 Oct 1999 12:00:38 -0700
Several wintering duck sp. and shorebird sp. are now present at Charleston
Slough and Palo Alto...had a coupleTree Swallows...no Skimmers
Sunday in GGP Park with Murphy and Hopkins...YH Blackbird with the snazzy
yellow cloaca was in amongst the Buffalo Paddock flock that included at
least one scruffy cowbird and >40 Trics
Chestnut-sided Warbler in gleaner flock west of Bercut
Laz Bunting (juv) sw corner of Middle Lake
one NOFL calling near Buffalo Paddock, COHA flying overhead...otherwise the
usual suspects, PYNU populoation seems to be very high this year in SF
Monday AM: very quiet at East & West Washes
--------------- MESSAGE sfbirds.v001.n281.4 ---------------
From: Harry Fuller
Subject: Re: [SFBirds] isthmus?
Date: Mon, 04 Oct 1999 15:15:25 -0700
and in email shorthand it could become Protho Pt
altho Bambolo Island does make it sound .like a Disney concession and I'm
always partial to media hype
------------ Previous Message from Luke Cole on
10/03/99 11:02:19 PM ----------
To: sfbirds@lists.best.com
cc:
Subject: Re: [SFBirds] isthmus?
At 09:06 PM 10/3/1999 -0800, you wrote:
>Hi Mike,
>
>I first heard the "isthmus" used a week or two ago. Who knows where it
>started? There are official names for those other islands too, but I
can't
>recall them. Bamboo Island apparently is named for that weedy tall grass
on
>the island.
My vote is Prothonotary Promontory, but I'm an old renamer from way back.
Luke
Luke Cole
luke@crpesf.org
San Francisco
--------------- END sfbirds.v001.n281 ---------------
-------------- BEGIN sfbirds.v001.n282 --------------
001 - "Paul Saraceni"
Subject: Mt. Davidson, 10/8/99 (7:30-8:15 AM)
Date: Fri, 8 Oct 1999 11:32:45 -0700
Could not relocate the vagrants I found on 10/2 (N. Waterthrush,
Rose-br. Grosbeak), but did have a nice mix (48 sp.) of migrants and
residents during a productive 45 minutes near the summit of Mt. Davidson
this morning, including:
Band-tailed Pigeon 58 (mostly in one large flock flying south)
Vaux's Swift 4
Rufous Hummingbird 1
Allen's/Rufous Hummingbird 4
Say's Phoebe 2
Violet-Green Swallow 60+ (in 2 flocks)
House Wren 1
Golden-crowned Kinglet 1
Varied Thrush 2
Bl.-thr. Gray Warbler 1
Western Tanager 4
Purple Finch 1
Paul Saraceni
paul.saraceni@derwin.com
--------------- MESSAGE sfbirds.v001.n282.2 ---------------
From: Harry Fuller
Subject: Re: [SFBirds] Mt. Davidson, 10/8/99 (7:30-8:15 AM)
Date: Fri, 08 Oct 1999 14:07:06 -0700
lots of birds at East Wash this morning...Winter Wren best of the lot
lots of birds at Fort Mason as well, many Western Tanager, some warblers,
nothing unusual
--------------- MESSAGE sfbirds.v001.n282.3 ---------------
From: Joseph Morlan
Subject: Hawk migration
Date: Fri, 08 Oct 1999 15:19:26 -0700
Had a good day up on Hawk Hill in the Marin Headlands with over five
Broad-winged Hawks including at least one (two sightings) of a dark
morph bird. The dark morph and two light morphs were seen heading
south over San Francisco.
Also notable were big numbers of Violet-green Swallows on the move.
Many hundreds of birds moving through.
--
Joseph Morlan, Pacifica, CA 94044: jmorlan@slip.net
California Birding; Mystery Birds: http://fog.ccsf.cc.ca.us/~jmorlan/
California Bird Records Committee: http://www.wfo-cbrc.org/cbrc/
--------------- MESSAGE sfbirds.v001.n282.4 ---------------
From: Luke Cole
Subject: YHBB and other queries...
Date: Fri, 8 Oct 1999 22:54:07 -0700 (PDT)
Has anyone seen the Yellow-head at GGP recently? I am going to be able to
get out in the morning for the first time in weeks and hope to look for it.
On another front, does anyone have any of the following which I could borrow
for an hour to make a photocopy of a few pages?
Oregon Birds (the journal), volume 23
Australian Birds, by Donald & Molly Trounson
Ocean Birds, by Lars Löfgren, 1984
Seabirds of the World, by Peter Harrison, 1987
Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa, by Ian Sinclair, 1990
I could swing by and pick them up and have them back within the hour if a
Kinko's is nearby.
Thanks!
Luke
Luke Cole
San Francisco, CA
luke@crpesf.org
--------------- END sfbirds.v001.n282 ---------------
-------------- BEGIN sfbirds.v001.n283 --------------
001 - "Paul Saraceni"
Subject: Mt. Davidson, 10/9/99 (8:15 AM-12:15 PM)
Date: Sat, 9 Oct 1999 17:53:11 -0700
I spent the warm, hazy morning up on Mt. Davidson to see what might fly by.
Joined briefly by Hugh Cotter and Dan Murphy. Highlights included:
White-tailed Kite 1 (flew in from the south and cruised low over the
hillside before heading east towards the Bay)
N. Harrier 1
Sharp-shinned Hawk 6
Cooper's Hawk 3
Band-tailed Pigeon 41
Vaux's Swift 3
Selasphorus sp. 2 (along trail that heads down into "canyon")
Say's Phoebe 1
Violet-Green Swallow 13
Varied Thrush 12 (scattered fly-overs)
Bl.-thr. Gray Warbler 1
W. Tanager 1
W. Meadowlark 3 (fly-bys)
Paul Saraceni
paul.saraceni@derwin.com
--------------- MESSAGE sfbirds.v001.n283.2 ---------------
From: Htcotter@aol.com
Subject: GOLDEN EAGLE
Date: Sun, 10 Oct 1999 19:18:16 EDT
Hi All,
This afternoon from Battery West, Susan and I were pretty startled to see a
juv/imm Golden Eagle flying from SF across the Golden Gate to Marin. This
was
at approx 12.45. pm. The bird looked like it came through at Baker Beach
approx and flew straight across the gate and then flew low over the ridges
at
the headlands. We watched it for about 5-6 minutes total (bins and scope).
Also seen was a single Kestrel and Parasitic Jaegar, many BT Pigeon and
Scoters. Other than the above birds we had nothing else in the way of Hawks
etc.
Hugh
--------------- END sfbirds.v001.n283 ---------------
-------------- BEGIN sfbirds.v001.n284 --------------
001 - Dan Murphy
Subject: double crossed?
Date: Sun, 10 Oct 1999 19:27:11 -0800
Hi,
No much in the line of birds today. A flock of Band-tailed Pigeons flew
over
North Lake. There was no Golden Eagle early on at Battery North, but there
was
a Steller's Jay. At Lobos Creek Dunes Restoration I had a nice
Yellow-shafted Flicker.
(That's all for birds. The rest is about birding access in the Presidio, so
if you don't care delete this message now.)
And now the rub. Have you birded there lately? There is a nice little sign
about not walking on the flowers at the beginning of the trail. Of course
you
have to get off the board walk to actually read it. As I walked along it
occurred to me that NPS is formalizing the boardwalk as the only access to
the
dunes. That means there is only one place you can look into the oaks along
Lobos Creek. Back at the point where the boardwalk turns left and birders
go
straight ahead on the old road, there is a fresh NPS sign which closes the
area to public access. That means the sparrrow flock at the back of the
dunes
is now off limits as is the entire willow grove. In fact the edge of the
creek is so restricted now that there is only a single point from which it
can
be birded. I've had repeated verbal assurances this wouldn't happen, but
nothing in writing. The closure is in very definite writing--white on
brown.
Now in reviewing the proposed Vegetation Management Plan for the Presidio,
what do you suppose is on p. 35 but a little item listed under "Enhance
Habitat" which says, "restrict human and dog access to plant populations."
28% of the Presidio is designated native plant habitat. If they pull this
in
the entire native plant area people will loose access to about a quarter of
the Presidio without having any opportunity to comment on where trails are
laid and which edge communities are restricted. I'm not sure where to go
with
this, but it's coming up at the next Conservation Committee meeting. It's
certainly in my comments on the plan and it has definitely reduced the level
of support I have for that plan. If you have anything to say about it drop
a
note to NPS at the Presidio and let me know so I can bring it up to GGAS.
Got to stop now or I'll be ranting and raving instead of just ranting.
Dan
--------------- END sfbirds.v001.n284 ---------------
-------------- BEGIN sfbirds.v001.n285 --------------
001 - "Josiah Clark"
Subject: double crossed?.... or an alliance?
Date: Tue, 12 Oct 1999 11:19:01 PDT
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed
Dear birders, I am writing regarding the notice Dan Murphy made about
acess limitation. I do work as a steward but just so we're all on the same
page, know that Dan's point is very close to my heart as I grew up exploring
a Presidio without restriction.
I did not mince words when I adressed my fellow stewards, and their
responses were thougthful and immediate. Following is a letter from Marc
Albert, the head of the Natural Resources division for NPS. I also talked
with the master-mind of the Lobos Dunes Project.
Please read the following the letter, but the jist is this. The birdig
commnuity and naturualists are by no means the target of the newly errected
signs. Many people using the dunes have a dog or bike with them, and are not
careful of the habitat.In order to protect the area from rogue bikers and
vandals, there need to be some postings from which to back law enforcement.
Habitat degradation is no myth, Im sure we can all agree, but by the same
token, naturalists should definitely be able to enjoy the habitat. Presidio
Park stewards are eagor to meet with the birding community to create acess.
Also remember that it is our right in any national park to walk off trail,
so long as we are not creating new trails.
(Tomarrow) Wed at 7pm there is a public meeting regardig trails in the
presidio and on OCT 30 from 9-12 there will be a walk with environmental
groups discussing a range of issues regarding the VMP. Please check the NPS
website or call me (668-5097) for meeting places on the said meetings (I
dont have the locals just now)
The Presidio is in a growing process. The Stewards genuinel y want to
incorpate birds and birders in their projects. We need to continue to make
alliances and set a precedent for cooperation among stewards and birders.
Josiah,
PS- this is also a chance for a plug, write with your concerns today to
Presidioveg@nps.gov
regarding the future of the Presdio. Do you want to see more understory
canopy viewing platforms, birding cafes, bird bookstores, more dog
restrictions? Everyone else is putting in there 2cents, birders should too!
>From Marc
Thank you for bringing this issue to our attention. Mr. Murphy's
address is not listed, so please forward this to him.
The issue of access is one of the most challenging aspects of urban
park management and I certainly profess no perfect solution at this
time. I can say, however, that we are very concerned to work with the
birding community to enhance both habitat quality and visitor
experience of natural areas in the Presidio. I think ultimately the
birding community, the National Park Service, Presidio Trust and
Presidio Park Stewards seek the same goal - abundant good habitat for
flora and fauna. We also share, I hope, the goal of reasonable public
access for nature study and quiet contemplation. These values are
central to the Vegetation Management Plan. From my perspective the
birding community should be able to embrace the VMP for its clear
benefits, and still make contributions to its implementation
strategies regarding access as well as habitat restoration for birds
and other wildlife.
The primary reason why we have moved to put signs near the boardwalk
in the Lobos Dunes is to discourage the many dirt bikers who have been
riding across the dunes this spring and summer. In order for rangers
to implement the rules about off-trail biking in endangered species
habitat there have to be official Park Service signs. Since the signs
have gone up the biking has diminished.
The impact of strolling birders, botanists, or for that matter natural
resource managers is clearly much less than that of any vehicles or of
off-leash dogs, for example. After one incident several months ago, I
have not heard of any additional problems with off-boardwalk hikers
being confronted by Park staff in the Lobos area. Nevertheless, this
issue clearly needs some careful further attention. Should we allow
full access to everyone to all sensitive habitat sites? If so we
could expect to see, for example, north baker beach dune scrub return
to a circa-1970's criss-cross of social trails and disturbance-loving
weeds. Should all areas be closed? I don't think anyone believes in
this extreme either.
The Presidio Trust and NPS are currently in the early stages of a
trails planning process that is distinct from the Vegetation
Management Plan public process. These public processes are great
avenues for involvement of the birding community. Additionally, the
birding community clearly has needs to go beyond trails sometimes, and
I will propose to my supervisor that a working group including Park
staff and birding community representatives be assembled to discuss
these issues in more detail.
Please feel free to contact me regarding these or other Presidio
natural resource matters at (415) 668-4392 or marc_albert@nps.gov.
Thanks again, Josiah.
Marc
______________________________________________________
Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com
--------------- MESSAGE sfbirds.v001.n285.2 ---------------
From: "David Nelson"
Subject: Re: [SFBirds] double crossed?.... or an alliance?
Date: Tue, 12 Oct 1999 12:28:47 -0700
Josiah,
> The Presidio is in a growing process.----- Wrong, when access is
denied that is a shrinking process. As luck would have it, the Presidio
will soon become what it should not be, something to view and not
experience. Too bad for the millions who come every year. As you know,
birders are more aware of the natural environment than the average person,
and generally do not represent a threat. Maybe the signs could say "No off
trail bicycles or Loose Dogs" The park service should be more specific to
address the problem with specific rules, not address specific problems with
general rules. Too bad. David W. Nelson
----- Original Message -----
From: Josiah Clark
To:
Sent: Tuesday, October 12, 1999 11:19 AM
Subject: [SFBirds] double crossed?.... or an alliance?
> Dear birders, I am writing regarding the notice Dan Murphy made about
> acess limitation. I do work as a steward but just so we're all on the same
> page, know that Dan's point is very close to my heart as I grew up
exploring
> a Presidio without restriction.
> I did not mince words when I adressed my fellow stewards, and their
> responses were thougthful and immediate. Following is a letter from Marc
> Albert, the head of the Natural Resources division for NPS. I also talked
> with the master-mind of the Lobos Dunes Project.
> Please read the following the letter, but the jist is this. The birdig
> commnuity and naturualists are by no means the target of the newly
errected
> signs. Many people using the dunes have a dog or bike with them, and are
not
> careful of the habitat.In order to protect the area from rogue bikers and
> vandals, there need to be some postings from which to back law
enforcement.
> Habitat degradation is no myth, Im sure we can all agree, but by the same
> token, naturalists should definitely be able to enjoy the habitat.
Presidio
> Park stewards are eagor to meet with the birding community to create
acess.
> Also remember that it is our right in any national park to walk off trail,
> so long as we are not creating new trails.
> (Tomarrow) Wed at 7pm there is a public meeting regardig trails in the
> presidio and on OCT 30 from 9-12 there will be a walk with environmental
> groups discussing a range of issues regarding the VMP. Please check the
NPS
> website or call me (668-5097) for meeting places on the said meetings (I
> dont have the locals just now)
>
> The Presidio is in a growing process. The Stewards genuinel y want to
> incorpate birds and birders in their projects. We need to continue to make
> alliances and set a precedent for cooperation among stewards and birders.
> Josiah,
> PS- this is also a chance for a plug, write with your concerns today to
> Presidioveg@nps.gov
>
> regarding the future of the Presdio. Do you want to see more understory
> canopy viewing platforms, birding cafes, bird bookstores, more dog
> restrictions? Everyone else is putting in there 2cents, birders should
too!
>
>
>
>
> From Marc
> Thank you for bringing this issue to our attention. Mr. Murphy's
> address is not listed, so please forward this to him.
>
> The issue of access is one of the most challenging aspects of urban
> park management and I certainly profess no perfect solution at this
> time. I can say, however, that we are very concerned to work with the
> birding community to enhance both habitat quality and visitor
> experience of natural areas in the Presidio. I think ultimately the
> birding community, the National Park Service, Presidio Trust and
> Presidio Park Stewards seek the same goal - abundant good habitat for
> flora and fauna. We also share, I hope, the goal of reasonable
public
> access for nature study and quiet contemplation. These values are
> central to the Vegetation Management Plan. From my perspective the
> birding community should be able to embrace the VMP for its clear
> benefits, and still make contributions to its implementation
> strategies regarding access as well as habitat restoration for birds
> and other wildlife.
>
> The primary reason why we have moved to put signs near the boardwalk
> in the Lobos Dunes is to discourage the many dirt bikers who have
been
> riding across the dunes this spring and summer. In order for rangers
> to implement the rules about off-trail biking in endangered species
> habitat there have to be official Park Service signs. Since the
signs
> have gone up the biking has diminished.
>
> The impact of strolling birders, botanists, or for that matter
natural
> resource managers is clearly much less than that of any vehicles or
of
> off-leash dogs, for example. After one incident several months ago,
I
> have not heard of any additional problems with off-boardwalk hikers
> being confronted by Park staff in the Lobos area. Nevertheless, this
> issue clearly needs some careful further attention. Should we allow
> full access to everyone to all sensitive habitat sites? If so we
> could expect to see, for example, north baker beach dune scrub return
> to a circa-1970's criss-cross of social trails and disturbance-loving
> weeds. Should all areas be closed? I don't think anyone believes in
> this extreme either.
>
> The Presidio Trust and NPS are currently in the early stages of a
> trails planning process that is distinct from the Vegetation
> Management Plan public process. These public processes are great
> avenues for involvement of the birding community. Additionally, the
> birding community clearly has needs to go beyond trails sometimes,
and
> I will propose to my supervisor that a working group including Park
> staff and birding community representatives be assembled to discuss
> these issues in more detail.
>
> Please feel free to contact me regarding these or other Presidio
> natural resource matters at (415) 668-4392 or marc_albert@nps.gov.
>
> Thanks again, Josiah.
>
> Marc
>
>
> ______________________________________________________
> Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com
>
--------------- MESSAGE sfbirds.v001.n285.3 ---------------
From: "Josiah Clark"
Subject: The low down
Date: Wed, 13 Oct 1999 00:35:54 PDT
regarding "double crossed"...
Hey David
A creative twisting of my words was not what I had in mind for a response.
In times of genuine misunderstandings or differences of opinion its not so
funny. That's certainly something Dan didn't do to me, and I did't do it to
him. People who are actually involved in conservation know these issues can
be highly loaded.
Im going to level with all you skeptics so listen here, as long as
the
Presidio Park Stewards of Natural Resources are in place for the Veg
Management Plan, they will be representing the interests of people who want
to see lots of the Presidio.(Everyone commenting on the VMP if you did not
mention the stewards in your letters, do so) An understanding for birders
rights exists with the relavant bodies, you just dont see it. (Jeez, the
trust probably wants to capitalize on birding in the Presidio so you really
think they would try to ruin it?) Aside from one incident with Dan, I do not
know of any problems with acess. Birders must know from now on they are
trusted to go where they must in the dunes.It is your legal right. Be
careful underfoot, but dunes thrive on sporadic disturbances like foot
traffic, just not dog crap and bike wheels. Simply use general discretion
when walking offtrail anywhere.
I again urge any of you all to come out to volunteer work parties on Wed
and Sat at 9am at the Natural Resources Field Office and see what Im talking
about from the inside. We can all build brush piles at Crissy, a manageble
project we could complete as a unified group. (I will be asking about this
again)
Ive invested alot in the Presidio and now the stewards are really excited
about creating bird habitat.
I can only encourage you again to come out and help make it what you
want.
Peace, out
josiah
PS David
One way you can help the park grow is by sending in a specific sign with
activity designations to the vmp adress.
>From: "David Nelson"
>To: "sf birds" ,"Josiah Clark"
>
>Subject: Re: [SFBirds] double crossed?.... or an alliance?
>Date: Tue, 12 Oct 1999 12:28:47 -0700
>
>Josiah,
>
> > The Presidio is in a growing process.----- Wrong, when access is
>denied that is a shrinking process. As luck would have it, the Presidio
>will soon become what it should not be, something to view and not
>experience. Too bad for the millions who come every year. As you know,
>birders are more aware of the natural environment than the average person,
>and generally do not represent a threat. Maybe the signs could say "No off
>trail bicycles or Loose Dogs" The park service should be more specific to
>address the problem with specific rules, not address specific problems with
>general rules. Too bad. David W. Nelson
>
>
>----- Original Message -----
>From: Josiah Clark
>To:
>Sent: Tuesday, October 12, 1999 11:19 AM
>Subject: [SFBirds] double crossed?.... or an alliance?
>
>
> > Dear birders, I am writing regarding the notice Dan Murphy made about
> > acess limitation. I do work as a steward but just so we're all on the
>same
> > page, know that Dan's point is very close to my heart as I grew up
>exploring
> > a Presidio without restriction.
> > I did not mince words when I adressed my fellow stewards, and their
> > responses were thougthful and immediate. Following is a letter from Marc
> > Albert, the head of the Natural Resources division for NPS. I also
>talked
> > with the master-mind of the Lobos Dunes Project.
> > Please read the following the letter, but the jist is this. The
>birdig
> > commnuity and naturualists are by no means the target of the newly
>errected
> > signs. Many people using the dunes have a dog or bike with them, and are
>not
> > careful of the habitat.In order to protect the area from rogue bikers
>and
> > vandals, there need to be some postings from which to back law
>enforcement.
> > Habitat degradation is no myth, Im sure we can all agree, but by the
>same
> > token, naturalists should definitely be able to enjoy the habitat.
>Presidio
> > Park stewards are eagor to meet with the birding community to create
>acess.
> > Also remember that it is our right in any national park to walk off
>trail,
> > so long as we are not creating new trails.
> > (Tomarrow) Wed at 7pm there is a public meeting regardig trails in the
> > presidio and on OCT 30 from 9-12 there will be a walk with environmental
> > groups discussing a range of issues regarding the VMP. Please check the
>NPS
> > website or call me (668-5097) for meeting places on the said meetings (I
> > dont have the locals just now)
> >
> > The Presidio is in a growing process. The Stewards genuinel y want
>to
> > incorpate birds and birders in their projects. We need to continue to
>make
> > alliances and set a precedent for cooperation among stewards and
>birders.
> > Josiah,
> > PS- this is also a chance for a plug, write with your concerns today to
> > Presidioveg@nps.gov
> >
> > regarding the future of the Presdio. Do you want to see more understory
> > canopy viewing platforms, birding cafes, bird bookstores, more dog
> > restrictions? Everyone else is putting in there 2cents, birders should
>too!
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > From Marc
> > Thank you for bringing this issue to our attention. Mr. Murphy's
> > address is not listed, so please forward this to him.
> >
> > The issue of access is one of the most challenging aspects of urban
> > park management and I certainly profess no perfect solution at this
> > time. I can say, however, that we are very concerned to work with
>the
> > birding community to enhance both habitat quality and visitor
> > experience of natural areas in the Presidio. I think ultimately the
> > birding community, the National Park Service, Presidio Trust and
> > Presidio Park Stewards seek the same goal - abundant good habitat
>for
> > flora and fauna. We also share, I hope, the goal of reasonable
>public
> > access for nature study and quiet contemplation. These values are
> > central to the Vegetation Management Plan. From my perspective the
> > birding community should be able to embrace the VMP for its clear
> > benefits, and still make contributions to its implementation
> > strategies regarding access as well as habitat restoration for
>birds
> > and other wildlife.
> >
> > The primary reason why we have moved to put signs near the
>boardwalk
> > in the Lobos Dunes is to discourage the many dirt bikers who have
>been
> > riding across the dunes this spring and summer. In order for
>rangers
> > to implement the rules about off-trail biking in endangered species
> > habitat there have to be official Park Service signs. Since the
>signs
> > have gone up the biking has diminished.
> >
> > The impact of strolling birders, botanists, or for that matter
>natural
> > resource managers is clearly much less than that of any vehicles or
>of
> > off-leash dogs, for example. After one incident several months
>ago,
>I
> > have not heard of any additional problems with off-boardwalk hikers
> > being confronted by Park staff in the Lobos area. Nevertheless,
>this
> > issue clearly needs some careful further attention. Should we
>allow
> > full access to everyone to all sensitive habitat sites? If so we
> > could expect to see, for example, north baker beach dune scrub
>return
> > to a circa-1970's criss-cross of social trails and
>disturbance-loving
> > weeds. Should all areas be closed? I don't think anyone believes
>in
> > this extreme either.
> >
> > The Presidio Trust and NPS are currently in the early stages of a
> > trails planning process that is distinct from the Vegetation
> > Management Plan public process. These public processes are great
> > avenues for involvement of the birding community. Additionally,
>the
> > birding community clearly has needs to go beyond trails sometimes,
>and
> > I will propose to my supervisor that a working group including Park
> > staff and birding community representatives be assembled to discuss
> > these issues in more detail.
> >
> > Please feel free to contact me regarding these or other Presidio
> > natural resource matters at (415) 668-4392 or marc_albert@nps.gov.
> >
> > Thanks again, Josiah.
> >
> > Marc
> >
> >
> > ______________________________________________________
> > Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com
> >
>
______________________________________________________
Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com
--------------- END sfbirds.v001.n285 ---------------
-------------- BEGIN sfbirds.v001.n286 --------------
001 - Harry Fuller
Subject: Development Director Job Announcement
Date: Wed, 13 Oct 1999 15:06:22 -0700
FYI...anybody know a biz dev type who wants to feel proud of her/his job?
No IPO planned.
---------------------- Forwarded by Harry Fuller on 10/13/99 03:12 PM
---------------------------
Original Message from "Ellie M. Cohen" on 10/13/99
01:56:09 PM
To: ellcohen@aol.com
cc:
Subject: Development Director Job Announcement
Hi- Please forward to others and post where you can!-- Thanks, Ellie
-------------------------------------------
Job Title: Development Director
Salary Range: Competitive
Hours/Benefits: Full Time with full benefits
Reports to: Executive Director
Point Reyes Bird Observatory (PRBO)- a growing and internationally
renowned scientific research organization with 37 permanent and over 25
seasonal biologists based in Stinson Beach, California- is dedicated to
the conservation of birds, marine mammals and their habitats throughout
the Pacific West.
PRBO's Development Director must be a dynamic, people-oriented, team
player who will play a key leadership role in growing and strengthening
our financial base of support as well as increasing marketing
opportunities. We are seeking an individual with a strong commitment to
conservation and with proven success in major donor development,
membership growth, planned giving, marketing and communications.
Responsibilities
Working with the Executive Director and other senior staff, the
Development Director develops annual fundraising goals and implements
action plans to achieve fundraising objectives. Responsibilities
include:
1. Major Donor Development
Work with the Executive Director, Board members and staff to cultivate
and develop relationships with existing major donors, and to identify
and cultivate new prospects.
- Develop and manage a PRBO major donor plan, including coordinating
regular communications, meetings and solicitations.
- Conduct prospect research, establish contacts, and create action plans
for the cultivation, solicitation and gift closure of major individual
and planned gifts.
- Cultivate and coordinate the Board, Executive Director and senior
science staff in their fund raising activities including training,
support, and the assignment of prospects for personal solicitation in
the annual campaign.
- Develop and implement upgrade strategies, and ensure timely and
effective donor recognition.
- Further develop and grow PRBO's planned giving program including
increasing PRBO's endowment and reserve funds.
- Carry out other tasks and responsibilities as needed to grow and
enhance PRBO's major donor program.
2. Membership and Annual Fund
Develop and implement a comprehensive PRBO membership plan that includes
prospecting, cultivation, upgrading, renewals and recognition, reaching
all levels of donors for contributions to increase membership and to
upgrade average gift.
- Develop and oversee annual direct marketing plan to renew current
donors and acquire new donors working with staff and consultants to
achieve annual fundraising goals in the most cost-effective manner.
- Oversee development of materials for donors, including newsletters,
annual report, and mailings in consultation with Executive Director and
science staff.
- Ensure high quality "customer service" to members and potential
members.
- Ensure the prompt production of records and reports, gift
acknowledgments and appropriate donor recognition.
- Supervise membership support/data base manager staff person.
- Perform other related responsibilities as needed, to ensure that PRBO
meets annual fund development goals.
3. Marketing/Communications
Develop and implement a marketing and communications strategy to
increase public awareness of and to cultivate expanded support for PRBO,
its work and its accomplishments.
- Identify opportunities for PRBO to be covered by local, regional and
national media and work with the Executive Director, senior scientists
and board members to develop media relations.
- Manage the writing, distribution and follow-up of press releases and
other press contact in a timely manner.
- Ensure a coordinated, professional appearance and message for all PRBO
publications and printed materials.
- Supervise PRBO's communications staff person.
- Perform other related responsibilities as needed.
4. Events
Plan, coordinate and execute PRBO special events including preparation,
site coordination and post-event evaluation.
- Work with staff, volunteers and temporary staff to ensure the success
of PRBO's annual Bird-a-Thon fundraiser and related activities.
- Schedule and produce member special events such as the Annual Meeting
and the Osher Intern Symposium.
- Identify support needs and hire/recruit/manage temporary staff,
consultants and volunteers as needed for various events in a
cost-effective manner.
- Work with Education staff to ensure education activities and events
support broader membership and major donor development goals and
objectives.
5. Foundation, Corporate and Government Grants
Work in concert with Executive Director, Grants/Contracts Manager, other
staff and Board Members to maintain and expand PRBO's foundation,
corporate and government relationships and to assist in the writing of
proposals and reports as needed. [Note: at this time, the
Grants/Contracts Manager reports to the Executive Director.]
Qualifications
- Minimum 5 years demonstrated success in nonprofit or association major
donor cultivation, membership development, marketing and communications,
and planned giving.
- Experience or familiarity with science-based and/or environmental
organizations; familiarity with birds and their habitats a plus.
- Superior writing, editing and speaking skills, including the ability
to interpret and package complex scientific ideas in a clear and
persuasive manner; grant writing experience a plus.
- Strong interpersonal and leadership skills; ability to work easily and
effectively with a wide range of people including major donors,
volunteers, news media, and fellow staff members as well as
representatives of non-profit, corporations, foundations and government
agencies.
- Proven computer skills, including word processing, fundraising
database management, spreadsheet and Internet skills.
- Aptitude for strategic and creative planning in a collaborative,
positive, team atmosphere.
- Ability to meet deadlines and manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
- Excellent attention to detail, accuracy and quality.
- Team player, flexible, and work well under pressure.
- Able to accept and integrate feedback from others.
- Sense of humor!
- Strong commitment to conservation through science.
Application Procedure
Please submit a resume, a cover letter detailing your interest and
qualifications, 2 writing samples and 3 references (names, addresses and
phone numbers) by November 5, 1999 to:
Development Search
Point Reyes Bird Observatory
4990 Shoreline Highway
Stinson Beach, CA 94970
or FAX to (415) 868-1946 Equal Opportunity Employer
http://www.PRBO.org
--
Ellie M. Cohen
Executive Director
Point Reyes Bird Observatory
4990 Shoreline Hwy
Stinson Beach, CA 94970
(415) 868-1221 ext. 18
(415) 868-1946 FAX
email: emcohen@prbo.org
--------------- MESSAGE sfbirds.v001.n286.2 ---------------
From: Alan Hopkins
Subject: Re: [SFBirds] double crossed?.... or an alliance?
Date: Wed, 13 Oct 1999 18:39:42 +0000
David, SF birders,
Sorry I don't have such a high opionion of birders. Most birders don't
know a pine from a cypress, let alone small rare esoteric dune plants.
In my experence birdere don't give a #^*_+ about the environment.
Alan
--------------- MESSAGE sfbirds.v001.n286.3 ---------------
From: Joseph Morlan
Subject: Re: [SFBirds] double crossed?.... or an alliance?
Date: Thu, 14 Oct 1999 11:57:54 -0700
On Wed, 13 Oct 1999 18:39:42 +0000, Alan Hopkins wrote:
>In my experence birdere don't give a #^*_+ about the environment.
I agree completely. Don't you just hate it when a bunch of them,
armed with expensive optics trample everything underfoot, screaming to
get a better view of some stupid bird? And they're always meddling in
other people's business, wanting to have everything for themselves.
Birders are THE environmental problem in the world today and I, for
one, think it's about time we stopped talking about it and start doing
something about it. We have a head start because they already carry
identification, the telltale signs, binoculars, scopes, wide-brimmed
hat. You know the type! Once we have them rounded up, we can control
their activities while we work together toward a final solution to the
birder problem.
In the meantime, we need to pay more attention to the good people of
this country who really understand and appreciate nature and ALL the
creature who share this small planet. Birders have never understood
that cats are just as much a part of nature as everything else. Cat
lovers care about all sentient creatures and work towards improving
the environment by making homes for cats that would otherwise be
needlessly destroyed.
Nobody enjoys or appreciates nature more than dog lovers. What can be
more exhilarating than to go running down the beach with your faithful
dog, running free and giving the shorebirds some badly needed
exercise, as the dogs chase the birds in the spirit of good fun?
But there is perhaps no outdoor sport that brings us closer to nature
than motorcross. The feeling of the wind in your face as you ride the
magnificent dunes, feeling the joy of the out of doors in its most
elemental form.
We, the animal lovers and ORV enthusiasts of this country, are the
people who really understand the environment and for whom the National
Parks are intended. Why does the Park Service pay attention to
ignorant birders when there are many others who appreciate the out of
doors so much more and who understand the needs of nature for ALL of
us?
--
Joseph Morlan, Pacifica, CA 94044: jmorlan@slip.net
California Birding; Mystery Birds: http://fog.ccsf.cc.ca.us/~jmorlan/
California Bird Records Committee: http://www.wfo-cbrc.org/cbrc/
--------------- MESSAGE sfbirds.v001.n286.4 ---------------
From: "David Nelson"
Subject: Re: [SFBirds] double crossed?.... or an alliance?
Date: Thu, 14 Oct 1999 12:50:50 -0700
Bravo!!!! Where do we send the gas money! David W. Nelson
----- Original Message -----
From: Joseph Morlan
To:
Sent: Thursday, October 14, 1999 11:57 AM
Subject: Re: [SFBirds] double crossed?.... or an alliance?
> On Wed, 13 Oct 1999 18:39:42 +0000, Alan Hopkins wrote:
>
> >In my experence birdere don't give a #^*_+ about the environment.
>
> I agree completely. Don't you just hate it when a bunch of them,
> armed with expensive optics trample everything underfoot, screaming to
> get a better view of some stupid bird? And they're always meddling in
> other people's business, wanting to have everything for themselves.
>
> Birders are THE environmental problem in the world today and I, for
> one, think it's about time we stopped talking about it and start doing
> something about it. We have a head start because they already carry
> identification, the telltale signs, binoculars, scopes, wide-brimmed
> hat. You know the type! Once we have them rounded up, we can control
> their activities while we work together toward a final solution to the
> birder problem.
>
> In the meantime, we need to pay more attention to the good people of
> this country who really understand and appreciate nature and ALL the
> creature who share this small planet. Birders have never understood
> that cats are just as much a part of nature as everything else. Cat
> lovers care about all sentient creatures and work towards improving
> the environment by making homes for cats that would otherwise be
> needlessly destroyed.
>
> Nobody enjoys or appreciates nature more than dog lovers. What can be
> more exhilarating than to go running down the beach with your faithful
> dog, running free and giving the shorebirds some badly needed
> exercise, as the dogs chase the birds in the spirit of good fun?
>
> But there is perhaps no outdoor sport that brings us closer to nature
> than motorcross. The feeling of the wind in your face as you ride the
> magnificent dunes, feeling the joy of the out of doors in its most
> elemental form.
>
> We, the animal lovers and ORV enthusiasts of this country, are the
> people who really understand the environment and for whom the National
> Parks are intended. Why does the Park Service pay attention to
> ignorant birders when there are many others who appreciate the out of
> doors so much more and who understand the needs of nature for ALL of
> us?
>
> --
> Joseph Morlan, Pacifica, CA 94044: jmorlan@slip.net
> California Birding; Mystery Birds: http://fog.ccsf.cc.ca.us/~jmorlan/
> California Bird Records Committee: http://www.wfo-cbrc.org/cbrc/
>
--------------- END sfbirds.v001.n286 ---------------
-------------- BEGIN sfbirds.v001.n287 --------------
001 - Htcotter@aol.com - Birds this evening - 10/17/99
002 - "Josiah Clark"
Subject: PResidio birds
Date: Mon, 18 Oct 1999 00:33:23 PDT
Hey all
17 Am Pipits, 1 bb plover, 1 least Sandpiper, 2 willets, 1 GB Heron 28
killdeer and over 200 gulls were at Crissy on Sat AM. The construction equip
is out of the back corner, and birds are settling again. 3 Says phoebe's at
once and lotsa meadowlarks were cool too. Swarms of ducks were cruising far
away across the bay as well. Had my first BT gray for the city this fall in
the Presidio as well. A House Wren and Bewicks wren continues behind the
hangers adjacent to the CG pier.
josiah
All interested parties are reminded of the VMP meeting this Tues at 7pm at
Ft mason,the deadline for all comments.
______________________________________________________
Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com
--------------- END sfbirds.v001.n287 ---------------
-------------- BEGIN sfbirds.v001.n288 --------------
001 - Harry Fuller
Subject: Tues morning birds
Date: Tue, 19 Oct 1999 10:29:36 -0700
Buffalo Paddock, GGP: few Trics around, no YH BLackbird; many Killdeer
Funston, north end: Three Pac Loons offshore, many SUSC & other usual
coastal birds
singing FOSP among the WCSP in the Coyote Bushes near Visitors' Ctr
Sunday at Sacto NWR: thousands of WF Geese, few Snow & Canada Geese,
hundreds of ducks of the Shoveller, GW Teal, Ruddy, Gadwall, Mallard and
Pintail persuasion. Some AMWI and Cin Teal as well. Shrike, Kites, Kestel,
RT and Rs Hawks, Harrier (3), scads (a scientific measurement) of Pheasant
[prior to hutning season], YEWA, GCKI, MAWR, SASP, WCSP, GCSP, WEME Dunlin
and the other usual inland marsh birds.
In large pond near Weed, saw my first Buffleheads of fall, also a sizeable
flock of Snipe plus all the usual pond ducks:
GW Teal, Gadwall, AMWI, Mall.
--------------- MESSAGE sfbirds.v001.n288.2 ---------------
From: "David Nelson"
Subject: Garganey, Clear Lake?
Date: Wed, 20 Oct 1999 09:15:07 -0700
Greetings Birders!
Has anyone been up to see the female Garganey at Clear Lake? Matthiew
Mattiesen called (from work in Ukiah) to let me know it was there. Does
anyone have directions on the location? Anyone interested in the chase?
David W. Nelson
--------------- END sfbirds.v001.n288 ---------------
-------------- BEGIN sfbirds.v001.n289 --------------
001 - Harry Fuller
Subject: morning birds
Date: Thu, 21 Oct 1999 09:36:20 -0700
@ West Wash the last two mornings...lotsa action around 8am:
BT Gray Warbler
House Wren
Spotted Towhee
Warbling Vireo
also winter birds like WIWR, HUVI, many GCSP and FOSP, NOFL and all the
usual suspects except PYNU who have been missing, not enough big trees I
suspect
--------------- MESSAGE sfbirds.v001.n289.2 ---------------
From: "Paul Saraceni"
Subject: BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLER @ Mt. Davidson, 10/22/99
Date: Fri, 22 Oct 1999 09:29:20 -0700
This morning I birded Mt. Davidson from 7:30-8:10 on my way to work. There
was a lot of activity just ahead of the cold fog that rolled in at 8:10.
The highlight was a gorgeous male Black-throated Blue Warbler observed from
7:55-8:00. I first observed the bird as it foraged in the thicket to the
left of the narrow path that heads north and down into the "canyon" --
approx. 30' down the path from its start. After a few minutes the warbler
flew up into the Eucalyptus trees west of the thicket, which is where I last
observed it. It did not appear to be associating with the flock (40+) of
Yellow-rumped Warblers moving through the area.
Other local highlights:
1 imm. m. Selasphorus sp. (in thicket along "canyon" path)
1 Say's Phoebe (perhaps wintering)
1 House Wren
5 Varied Thrush
6 Hermit Thrush
1 Orange-cr. Warbler
1 f. Black-thr. Gray Warbler
1 m. Spotted Towhee
2 Lincoln's Sparrow
1 W. Tanager
1 W. Meadowlark (on grassy hillside)
Paul Saraceni
paul.saraceni@derwin.com
--------------- END sfbirds.v001.n289 ---------------
-------------- BEGIN sfbirds.v001.n290 --------------
001 - Dan Singer - North American Birds; Yellow-headed
Blackbird; just south of
002 - "Mark W. Eaton"
Subject: North American Birds; Yellow-headed Blackbird; just south of
you
Date: Sat, 23 Oct 1999 19:45:27 -0700
Hi folks,
The regional editors of NAB (formerly Field Notes, American Birds, Audubon
Field Notes) for the Middle Pacific Coast Region (Don Roberson, Scott
Terrill, Steve Rottenborn, yours truly) are currently considering different
options for maintaining the archives and preparing data for current and
future reports. In a perfect world our wish is that somebody(ies) would be
interested in receiving seasonal reports from the subregional editors and
individual observers who participate and then organize the records in such
a way that the RE's could then more efficiently use the data to write their
respective sections of the seasonal report for publication in NAB. This is
not an easy project, but for anyone with an interest in the status and
distribution of the birds of NCAL it is a unique opportunity to review
reports and records first hand and, hopefully, add to their own knowlege of
California's birds. Ultimately, someone with an interest in this would be
in a good position to take over one or more sections as a Regional Editor
when current RE's retire. If you would like to hear more about this please
contact me at the email address above or by phone at (650) 359-9362.
After seeing the Yellow-headed Blackbird at the buffalo paddock I did a
little research to satisfy my curiosity about whether or not I was sexing
the bird correctly. As it turns out, size alone is enough to sex this
species. According to Alvaro Jaramillo there is no overlap in size between
the sexes. Females are similar in size to male Red-wingeds and Brewer's;
males are noticeably larger. Additionally, the amount of white tipping on
the primary coverts of the SF bird is typical of males, whereas females
typically show very little but usually no white or whitish tips to the
p-coverts. Al was not certain as to whether both sexes have a yellow ring
around the vent. While examining specimens during research for the book he
didn't note yellow-ringed vents on females. It is his belief that, at best,
females show only a weak yellow vent-ring and that many or possibly
most/all females may not have it. Interestingly, the Birds of North America
states that both sexes have the yellow vent-ring, Pyle doesn't mention it
at all, and Alvaro's book says males have it but doesn't mention anything
about females. Another interesting tidbit about this species that I learned
is that the sexes typically migrate separately from each other. I find this
fact to be a good excuse for not remembering the size difference between
the sexes! I've seen several migrant flocks over the years but failed to
note size differences among the individuals present.
There is an immature Sandhill Crane in Pacifica hanging around the new
sewage plant. Access is from Rockaway Beach - follow the creek (Calera
Creek) from the beach northward until you are opposite the sewage plant.
Also, a couple of Rock Wrens have been hanging out at the quarry for
several weeks. A Clay-colored Sparrow has been along the creek just below
and above the spillway for the past several days. I haven't seen it but a
friend has. The creek has recently been restored to its historic course.
The vegetation is only a year or so old, but already this fall we have had
waterthrush, Am. Redstart, Vesper Sparrow, Clay-colored Sparrow, crane...
The future of this spot is very promising. Alas, it isn't in SF.
DSg
--------------- MESSAGE sfbirds.v001.n290.2 ---------------
From: "Mark W. Eaton"
Subject: Tropical Kingbird, little else of interest
Date: Sun, 24 Oct 1999 15:08:13 -0700
I spent this morning reacquainting myself with birds on my native continent
(it
seems odd being outside and not having a ROBIN _erithacus rubecula_ singing
its
little heart out) and made a few stops in the city this morning. At Mt.
Davidson, there was little of interest other than 8-9 BAND-TAILED PIGEONS
and a
possible SPOTTED TOWHEE, though any sound-identified birds should be viewed
with
some suspicion. :-|
Wading through the AIDS Walk, I worked my way around the Soccer Field in
Golden
Gate Park until I refound the TROPICAL KINGBIRD in the myoporum/pittisporum
near
the northwest corner of the field. The bird was shy and required some
patience,
but I finally managed to get decent looks of the bird as well as photograph
it.
The bird then flew towards the southwestern edge of the field and I could
not
relocate it.
"An obvious kingbird with a thick, large bill that was a significant
fraction of
the head width. Head gray with the nape slightly crested. Facial patch
just
slightly darker than the eye. Throat nearly pure white, contrasting
strongly
with the face. Breast and belly bright yellow, extending all the way to the
undertail coverts."
"Back uniformly olive or olive gray, not contrasting strongly with the head.
Wings dusky brown with prominent pale edging on the greater and median wing
coverts as well as all of the flight feathers. Pale edging appeared pale
yellow
as opposed to buff. The pale edging was prominent enough on the tertials to
almost give the impression of a pale region on the folded wing."
"Tail was somewhat notched, though not as noticeable either in flight or
perched
as I might have expected. Vocalization was 'peet-pip-pip-pip-pip-pip-pip',
repeated several times with short pauses in between and the 'peet' syllable
slightly higher pitched that the 'pip' syllables."
Separation of TRKI from COUCH'S KINGBIRD is effectively impossible other
than by
voice; fortunately this individual did vocalize to confirm the
identification.
The coloration of the wings and the prominent pale edges suggest an immature
bird; any idea whether the tail formula is different for younger birds?
At Middle Lake in the area just below the glade near the redwood trees,
there
was an ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER and a warbler that I didn't see the head of
but
the yellow-white-yellow on the belly is most likely a NASHVILLE WARBLER.
Anyone else birding out there?
Mark
10.24.99 SF Birds
8-9 BTPI
RTHA
Soccer Field
TRKI
CEDW
SSHA
South Lake
NAWR
OCWA
RTHA
ANHU courtship display
--
Mark Eaton 1524 36th Avenue
mailto:eaton@best.com San Francisco, CA, 94122-3123
http://www.best.com/~eaton http://goldengate.ca.audubon.org
"I tell you the more I think, the more I feel that there is nothing more
truly artistic than to love people."
- Vincent Van Gogh
--------------- MESSAGE sfbirds.v001.n290.3 ---------------
From: "Mark W. Eaton"
Subject: Italy October 1999
Date: Sun, 24 Oct 1999 16:55:49 -0700
My marginally interesting trip list from a non-birding trip to Italy.
Mark
http://www.best.com/~eaton/Birding/TripReports/ItalyOctober99.html
--
Mark Eaton 1524 36th Avenue
mailto:eaton@best.com San Francisco, CA, 94122-3123
http://www.best.com/~eaton http://goldengate.ca.audubon.org
"I tell you the more I think, the more I feel that there is nothing more
truly artistic than to love people."
- Vincent Van Gogh
--------------- END sfbirds.v001.n290 ---------------
-------------- BEGIN sfbirds.v001.n291 --------------
001 - David Armstrong - RE: [SFBirds] North American Birds;
Yellow-headed Blackbird; j
004 - "Jason Yakich"
Subject: Presidio birds
Date: Sun, 24 Oct 1999 21:11:14 -0700 (PDT)
We walked through the Presidio today beginning
at Mountain Lake Park where there was an immature
BCNH I had not seen there before on the west side
of the lake. We also saw several Redtails and
Red-shouldered hawks overhead as well as an American
Kestrel which we viewed up close above Baker
BEach.
There is also a recently opened boardwalk trail
through the habitat restoration dune area just east of
Lincoln Bd (the trail starts not far from the corner
of El Camino Del Mar and Lincoln) where we glimpsed
two NOFL and several Western Meadowlarks.
A question to the list: yesterday we walked through
Strybing Arboretum where a very irascible old man was
throwing handfuls of uncooked rice willy nilly to the
assembled wigeons and mallards. I told him that they'd
had enough and received a verbal assault that went on
for several minutes until we finally left. Is there
any way to deal with these people? On a recent trip to
Vancouver I noticed that in Canada anyway the
officials had the good sense to post signs warning
people NOT to feed wilb birds. Any thoughts?
David Armstrong
mailto:darmstrong99@yahoo.com
=====
__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Bid and sell for free at http://auctions.yahoo.com
--------------- MESSAGE sfbirds.v001.n291.2 ---------------
From: Dan Murphy
Subject: Re: [SFBirds] Tropical Kingbird, little else of interest
Date: Sun, 24 Oct 1999 21:24:25 -0800
Not much at Lake Merced today. Perhaps the most unexpected birds were about
a
hundred Am. Goldfinches eating every seed possible on the Mesa and a Western
Meadowlark in a willow just west of the circle parking lot. There were a
few
Bonaparte's Gulls at the south lake and a couple of Ring-necked Ducks there
too. It was pretty slow though.
Best, Dan
Mark W. Eaton wrote:
>
> I spent this morning reacquainting myself with birds on my native
continent (it
> seems odd being outside and not having a ROBIN _erithacus rubecula_
singing its
> little heart out) and made a few stops in the city this morning. At Mt.
> Davidson, there was little of interest other than 8-9 BAND-TAILED PIGEONS
and a
> possible SPOTTED TOWHEE, though any sound-identified birds should be
viewed with
> some suspicion. :-|
>
> Wading through the AIDS Walk, I worked my way around the Soccer Field in
Golden
> Gate Park until I refound the TROPICAL KINGBIRD in the
myoporum/pittisporum near
> the northwest corner of the field. The bird was shy and required some
patience,
> but I finally managed to get decent looks of the bird as well as
photograph it.
> The bird then flew towards the southwestern edge of the field and I could
not
> relocate it.
>
> "An obvious kingbird with a thick, large bill that was a significant
fraction of
> the head width. Head gray with the nape slightly crested. Facial patch
just
> slightly darker than the eye. Throat nearly pure white, contrasting
strongly
> with the face. Breast and belly bright yellow, extending all the way to
the
> undertail coverts."
>
> "Back uniformly olive or olive gray, not contrasting strongly with the
head.
> Wings dusky brown with prominent pale edging on the greater and median
wing
> coverts as well as all of the flight feathers. Pale edging appeared pale
yellow
> as opposed to buff. The pale edging was prominent enough on the tertials
to
> almost give the impression of a pale region on the folded wing."
>
> "Tail was somewhat notched, though not as noticeable either in flight or
perched
> as I might have expected. Vocalization was
'peet-pip-pip-pip-pip-pip-pip',
> repeated several times with short pauses in between and the 'peet'
syllable
> slightly higher pitched that the 'pip' syllables."
>
> Separation of TRKI from COUCH'S KINGBIRD is effectively impossible other
than by
> voice; fortunately this individual did vocalize to confirm the
identification.
> The coloration of the wings and the prominent pale edges suggest an
immature
> bird; any idea whether the tail formula is different for younger birds?
>
> At Middle Lake in the area just below the glade near the redwood trees,
there
> was an ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER and a warbler that I didn't see the head of
but
> the yellow-white-yellow on the belly is most likely a NASHVILLE WARBLER.
>
> Anyone else birding out there?
>
> Mark
>
> 10.24.99 SF Birds
> 8-9 BTPI
> RTHA
> Soccer Field
> TRKI
> CEDW
> SSHA
> South Lake
> NAWR
> OCWA
> RTHA
> ANHU courtship display
> --
> Mark Eaton 1524 36th
Avenue
> mailto:eaton@best.com San Francisco, CA,
94122-3123
> http://www.best.com/~eaton
http://goldengate.ca.audubon.org
>
> "I tell you the more I think, the more I feel that there is nothing more
> truly artistic than to love people."
> - Vincent Van Gogh
--------------- MESSAGE sfbirds.v001.n291.3 ---------------
From: Les Chibana
Subject: RE: [SFBirds] North American Birds; Yellow-headed Blackbird; jus
Date: 25 Oct 99 10:21:35 -0700
REPLY RE: [SFBirds] North American Birds; Yellow-headed Blackbird; just
south
Dan Singer wrote:
[snip]
>After seeing the Yellow-headed Blackbird at the buffalo paddock I did a
>little research to satisfy my curiosity about whether or not I was sexing
>the bird correctly. As it turns out, size alone is enough to sex this
>species. According to Alvaro Jaramillo there is no overlap in size between
>the sexes. Females are similar in size to male Red-wingeds and Brewer's;
>males are noticeably larger. Additionally, the amount of white tipping on
>the primary coverts of the SF bird is typical of males, whereas females
>typically show very little but usually no white or whitish tips to the
>p-coverts. Al was not certain as to whether both sexes have a yellow ring
>around the vent. While examining specimens during research for the book he
>didn't note yellow-ringed vents on females. It is his belief that, at best,
>females show only a weak yellow vent-ring and that many or possibly
>most/all females may not have it. Interestingly, the Birds of North America
>states that both sexes have the yellow vent-ring, Pyle doesn't mention it
>at all, and Alvaro's book says males have it but doesn't mention anything
>about females. Another interesting tidbit about this species that I learned
>is that the sexes typically migrate separately from each other. I find this
>fact to be a good excuse for not remembering the size difference between
>the sexes! I've seen several migrant flocks over the years but failed to
>note size differences among the individuals present.
[snip]
On 10/16/99, while leading a field trip on the Monterey Peninsula, one
person
in my group pointed out a Yellow-headed Blackbird (YHBL) at Crespi Pond.
With
the discussion of the individual seen at the buffalo paddock fresh in my
mind, I
watched carefully as this bird lifted its tail, revealing a yellow anal
ring! I've never seen this before, but then again, I've never looked for it
before. The YHBL at Crespi Pond appeared to be a female, lacking any
white-tipped primary coverts and having white (instead of yellow) belly
streaking. This bird was also about the same length as nearby male Brewer's
Blackbirds, although relatively
shorter-tailed and larger in body girth. I don't know if this size
comparison is
exactly what was implied.
So, if those field marks for female YHBL are high-percentage marks, then at
least one female YHBL has a yellow anal ring. BTW, these field marks are
noted
in Alvaro Jaramillo's nice ID guide for Icterids.
Birders sure get into some odd discussions...
Les Chibana
Palo Alto, CA les@auc.com
--------------- MESSAGE sfbirds.v001.n291.4 ---------------
From: "Jason Yakich"
Subject: Southeast Farallon 10/22-23
Date: Mon, 25 Oct 1999 14:12:51 -0700
Hey,
I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to visit Southeast Farallon for
the first time over the weekend. Needless to say the birding was exciting.
Here's a rough list:
Western grebes
Brown pelicans
DC cormorants
Brandt's cormorants
Pelagic cormorants
Pintail 1 f
Scoter sp., flock
Kestrel 1 m
Peregrine falcon 3
Black oystercatchers
Wandering tattler 1
Whimbrel 1
Black turnstone 1
Western gulls
California gulls
Heermann's gulls
Barn owl 1
Burrowing owl 2 (heard)
Short-eared owl 1
Anna's hummingbird 1
Cliff swallow 3
RC kinglet 1
Hermit thrush 1
Robin 1
Mockingbird 1
Starling 1
OC warbler 1
Nashville warbler 1 m
YR warblers (including 2 myrtle)
Black-throated blue warbler 1 m
Townsend's warbler 1
Palm warbler 8
Yellow warbler 2
Spotted towhee 1
Fox sparrow 2
Lincoln's sparrow 1
WC sparrow juvs
GC sparrow juvs
DE junco 2
Western meadowlarks
RW blackbird 1 juv
Brewer's bb 1
BH cowbird 1
The sea was pretty dead on the way out and back. Quite a few COMUs, several
fulmars, and I think one Buller's shearwater (not confident), and the usual
gulls.
Jason
--------------- MESSAGE sfbirds.v001.n291.5 ---------------
From: Harry Fuller
Subject: endemics
Date: Mon, 25 Oct 1999 20:55:58 -0700
Just returned from SoCal trip that netted me both of California's unique
endemic [found in no other state]...those two corvids:
Y-B Magpie and Island Scrub Jay.
The boat trip out to Santa Cruz Island for the Jay is
worthwhile...[$47/person]. Water and weather mild. Saw hundreds of
Common Dolphin, one BLUE WHALE, four shearwaters, two jaegers, several
alcids (no Xantus) with Rhinos being the most abundant...got a state lifer
Royal Tern (actually a flock of about 20)...and the Island Scrub Jays were
waiting for us at the landing spot...came straight to the lone picnic table
to mug the tourists. They are bigger and much deeper-hued than our pale
Nor Cal Scrub Jays. They pose nicely for photos. Anyone wanting info on
how to make the Santa Cruz Island trip, just lemme know.
Bonus bird; got, finally, my state life American Bittern in the bird refuge
near the Santa Barbara Zoo.
Last week I had my first Ring-necked Duck of the fall in SF, on Sutro
Baths.
--------------- END sfbirds.v001.n291 ---------------
-------------- BEGIN sfbirds.v001.n292 --------------
001 - Harry Fuller
Subject: [SBB] Extreme high tides at Palo Alto Baylands
Date: Tue, 26 Oct 1999 13:18:05 -0700
Black Rail alert!
---------------------- Forwarded by Harry Fuller on 10/26/99 01:26 PM
---------------------------
Original Message from "Bartens, Deborah"
on 10/23/99 11:25:39 AM
To: "'south-bay-birds@lists.stanford.edu'"
cc:
Subject: [SBB] Extreme high tides at Palo Alto Baylands
To all,
We have 24 predicted extreme high tides at Baylands starting October 26 and
going through February 19, 2000. These are tides 9' and over.
10-26-99 2:07p 9.0'
10-27-99 2:50p 9.0'
11-22-99 11:15a 9.2'
11-23-99 11:55a 9.4'
11-24-99 12:38p 9.4'
11-25-99 1:25p 9.3'
11-26-99 2:16p 9.1'
12-19-99 9:20a 9.0'
12-20-99 10:03a 9.3'
12-21-99 10:47a 9.6'
12-22-99 11:33a 9.7'
12-23-99 12:20p 9.7'
12-24-99 1:10p 9.5'
12-25-99 2:01p 9.1'
01-17-00 8:47a 9.1'
01-18-00 9:38a 9.4'
01-19-00 10:28a 9.6'
01-20-00 11:19a 9.7'
01-21-00 12:09p 9.6'
01-22-00 12:59p 9.4'
02-16-00 9:23a 9.1'
02-17-00 10:19a 9.3'
02-18-00 11:12a 9.3'
02-19-00 12:03p 9.1'
Deborah Bartens
City Naturalist
==========================================================================
This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list
server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the
message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to
majordomo@lists.stanford.edu
--------------- MESSAGE sfbirds.v001.n292.2 ---------------
From: Stephen Davies
Subject: Re: [SFBirds] [SBB] Extreme high tides at Palo Alto Baylands
Date: Tue, 26 Oct 1999 15:53:27 -0700 (PDT)
Hey Harry - thanks for posting the tide listing. I was about to post a
request for info on that to the list You must be psychic.
BTW, Katherine and I also just got back from Santa Cruz Island. Because
of our extremely limited schedule, the only boat trip available to us was
going to Scorpion Ranch at the E end of the island - reportedly the
poorest option for finding the jay. But we were still able to find a
group of 6 birds without much trouble, working through some oaks, up a
canyon about a mile W of Scorpion Ranch. The birds were quiet and
unobtrusive - not very jay-like - but they were quite curious and we
eventually got good looks as they foraged close by. We eventually heard
them call too. Trip over from Ventura was uneventful - Common Dolphins,
handful of Pomarine Jaegers and Pink-footed Shearwaters, Common Murres and
Rhino Auklets, and a Black-vented Shearwater. Migrants were in
evidence around Scorpion Ranch, including a White-fronted Goose on the
lawn and a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker in the palms. Nice looks at
Rufous-crowned Sparrow up the canyon too.
Bird hard
Stephen
On Tue, 26 Oct 1999, Harry Fuller wrote:
>
>
> Black Rail alert!
> ---------------------- Forwarded by Harry Fuller on 10/26/99 01:26 PM
> ---------------------------
>
> Original Message from "Bartens, Deborah"
> on 10/23/99 11:25:39 AM
>
> To: "'south-bay-birds@lists.stanford.edu'"
>
> cc:
> Subject: [SBB] Extreme high tides at Palo Alto Baylands
>
>
>
>
> To all,
> We have 24 predicted extreme high tides at Baylands starting October 26
and
> going through February 19, 2000. These are tides 9' and over.
>
> 10-26-99 2:07p 9.0'
> 10-27-99 2:50p 9.0'
>
> 11-22-99 11:15a 9.2'
> 11-23-99 11:55a 9.4'
> 11-24-99 12:38p 9.4'
> 11-25-99 1:25p 9.3'
> 11-26-99 2:16p 9.1'
>
> 12-19-99 9:20a 9.0'
> 12-20-99 10:03a 9.3'
> 12-21-99 10:47a 9.6'
> 12-22-99 11:33a 9.7'
> 12-23-99 12:20p 9.7'
> 12-24-99 1:10p 9.5'
> 12-25-99 2:01p 9.1'
>
> 01-17-00 8:47a 9.1'
> 01-18-00 9:38a 9.4'
> 01-19-00 10:28a 9.6'
> 01-20-00 11:19a 9.7'
> 01-21-00 12:09p 9.6'
> 01-22-00 12:59p 9.4'
>
> 02-16-00 9:23a 9.1'
> 02-17-00 10:19a 9.3'
> 02-18-00 11:12a 9.3'
> 02-19-00 12:03p 9.1'
>
> Deborah Bartens
> City Naturalist
> ==========================================================================
> This message was posted through the Stanford campus mailing list
> server. If you wish to unsubscribe from this mailing list, send the
> message body of "unsubscribe south-bay-birds" to
> majordomo@lists.stanford.edu
>
>
>
>
--------------- END sfbirds.v001.n292 ---------------
-------------- BEGIN sfbirds.v001.n293 --------------
001 - "Mark Eaton"
Subject: Sedge Wren reported in Half Moon Bay
Date: Thu, 28 Oct 1999 15:37:04 -0700
Jean Adams reported a Sedge Wren in Half Moon Bay not far from the model
airplane field. More details can be found on the Northern California Bird
Box.
Mark
---
Mark Eaton 1524 36th Avenue
mailto:eaton@best.com San Francisco, CA, 94122-3123
http://www.best.com/~eaton http://goldengate.ca.audubon.org
"It's like typing on a watermelon."
- One of my coworkers on the ergonomic keyboards that are becoming prevalent
on PCs.
--------------- MESSAGE sfbirds.v001.n293.2 ---------------
From: "Mark W. Eaton"
Subject: RFI: Front cover indexes for NGS?
Date: Thu, 28 Oct 1999 19:46:46 -0700
Anyone aware of an online site for the front-cover alphabetic index for NGS?
I'm interested in both 2nd and 3rd editions.
Thanks,
Mark
--
Mark Eaton mailto:eaton@best.com
SFBirds Web Page http://www.best.com/~eaton
Golden Gate Audubon Web Page http://goldengate.ca.audubon.org
"Adults are nothing but used up children."
- writer Theodore Geisel, aka Dr. Seuss
--------------- MESSAGE sfbirds.v001.n293.3 ---------------
From: Joseph Morlan
Subject: Re: [SFBirds] RFI: Front cover indexes for NGS?
Date: Thu, 28 Oct 1999 23:05:57 -0700
On Thu, 28 Oct 1999 19:46:46 -0700, "Mark W. Eaton"
wrote:
>Anyone aware of an online site for the front-cover alphabetic index for
NGS?
>I'm interested in both 2nd and 3rd editions.
Try these:
http://fog.ccsf.cc.ca.us/~jmorlan/NatGeo3.pdf
http://www.avisys.net/ngindex.htm
http://www.stanford.edu/~kendric/birds/NGSindex1.html
--
Joseph Morlan, Pacifica, CA 94044: jmorlan@slip.net
California Birding; Mystery Birds: http://fog.ccsf.cc.ca.us/~jmorlan/
California Bird Records Committee: http://www.wfo-cbrc.org/cbrc/
--------------- MESSAGE sfbirds.v001.n293.4 ---------------
From: Harry Fuller
Subject: this morning
Date: Fri, 29 Oct 1999 11:10:51 -0700
The Kingbird appears to be gone from GGP soccer fields, several misses this
week...there is a Mockingbird in winter residence between soccer field and
reconstructed windmill, unusual bird for Golden Gate Park.
Anybody seen Turnstones or Surfbird or Tattler at Cliff House. Lands End
recently? none this AM (have Easterner coming next week, expecting some
Pacific shorebirds for his life list)
Many Killdeer in GGP: Soccer Fields & Buffalo Paddock
--------------- MESSAGE sfbirds.v001.n293.5 ---------------
From: "Mark Eaton"
Subject: RE: this morning
Date: Fri, 29 Oct 1999 12:50:42 -0700
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Harry Fuller [mailto:Harry_Fuller@zd.com]
> Sent: Friday, October 29, 1999 11:11 AM
> To: Mark W. Eaton
> Cc: sfbirds@lists.best.com
> Subject: this morning
>
> there is a Mockingbird in winter residence between soccer field and
> reconstructed windmill, unusual bird for Golden Gate Park.
>
There's a lot more than one here. I had probably at least a half dozen this
weekend, including three in my field of view at one time. I can't think of
a time when I've seen more in one place in SF than last weekend at the
soccer field.
Mark
---
Mark Eaton 1524 36th Avenue
mailto:eaton@best.com San Francisco, CA, 94122-3123
http://www.best.com/~eaton http://goldengate.ca.audubon.org
"It's like typing on a watermelon."
- One of my coworkers on the ergonomic keyboards that are becoming prevalent
on PCs.
--------------- END sfbirds.v001.n293 ---------------
-------------- BEGIN sfbirds.v001.n294 --------------
001 - Joseph Morlan
Subject: Re: [SFBirds] RE: this morning
Date: Fri, 29 Oct 1999 20:50:39 -0700
On Fri, 29 Oct 1999 12:50:42 -0700, "Mark Eaton"
wrote:
>I can't think of
>a time when I've seen more in one place in SF than last weekend at the
>soccer field.
They are most regular around the small caretakers house just east of
the South Windmill. We've had small groups of up to five or six birds
there at times. This is not far from the soccer field.
--
Joseph Morlan, Pacifica, CA 94044: jmorlan@slip.net
California Birding; Mystery Birds: http://fog.ccsf.cc.ca.us/~jmorlan/
California Bird Records Committee: http://www.wfo-cbrc.org/cbrc/
--------------- END sfbirds.v001.n294 ---------------
-------------- BEGIN sfbirds.v001.n295 --------------
001 - Alan Hopkins
Subject: Re: [SFBirds] this morning
Date: Sun, 31 Oct 1999 13:52:58 +0000
SF Birders,
Today I led a trip for Santa Clara Audubon to the Cliff House. Tom
Arnold and others spotted a Tropical Kingbird on the snags above Sutro
Baths near the steps.
There were lots of Black Turnstones, one Surfbird, a Pom Jaeger, and the
Peregrine was at Mile Rock. Lincoln's Sparrow and Yellowthroat in the
wet sawle.
We finished at the Chain of Lakes had great looks a waxwings and a Brown
Creeper flatened out on a tree trunk. The creeper did this same thing
three or four times at the same spot on the tree. I assume that it is
just sunning its self, but I'd be intrested if anyone knows more on this
behavior. Some one reported a female oriole from Middle Lake, I did not
see it.
Before the trip I saw the Eurasian Wigeon at Lloyd Lake and there were
still Tri Colored Blackbirds at the Paddock.
Yesterday I saw a Nashville Warbler along Middle Drive East near the
Lilly Pond, Hairy Woodpecker there too.
Alan
--------------- MESSAGE sfbirds.v001.n295.2 ---------------
From: Dan Murphy
Subject: Re: [SFBirds] this morning
Date: Sun, 31 Oct 1999 21:32:50 -0800
Hi Alan,
I was out with Mark and Bob (woops, last name?) from the east bay. We had a
Parasitic Jaeger from the Cliff House, a Common Murre was off shore as were
several Elegant Terns. Mark saw two species of phalaropes. Bob pointed out
a
Wandering Tattler on the cliff below the camera. There were maybe 50
Tri-colored Blackbirds on the Buffalo Paddock. We had an Orange-crowend
Warbler at Middle L. That was about it. Pretty dead really. Oh, I thought
I
heard a Blue-gray Gnatcatcher at LM by the Mesa yesterday on I trip I did
there for the Friend of Lake Merced. Lots of interest -- 50 people showed
up.
Best, Dan
Alan Hopkins wrote:
>
> SF Birders,
>
> Today I led a trip for Santa Clara Audubon to the Cliff House. Tom
> Arnold and others spotted a Tropical Kingbird on the snags above Sutro
> Baths near the steps.
>
> There were lots of Black Turnstones, one Surfbird, a Pom Jaeger, and the
> Peregrine was at Mile Rock. Lincoln's Sparrow and Yellowthroat in the
> wet sawle.
>
> We finished at the Chain of Lakes had great looks a waxwings and a Brown
> Creeper flatened out on a tree trunk. The creeper did this same thing
> three or four times at the same spot on the tree. I assume that it is
> just sunning its self, but I'd be intrested if anyone knows more on this
> behavior. Some one reported a female oriole from Middle Lake, I did not
> see it.
>
> Before the trip I saw the Eurasian Wigeon at Lloyd Lake and there were
> still Tri Colored Blackbirds at the Paddock.
>
> Yesterday I saw a Nashville Warbler along Middle Drive East near the
> Lilly Pond, Hairy Woodpecker there too.
>
> Alan
--------------- MESSAGE sfbirds.v001.n295.3 ---------------
From: "Mark W. Eaton"
Subject: Photos of Yellow-headed Blackbird and Philadelphia Vireo now online
Date: Sun, 31 Oct 1999 22:37:04 -0800
Follow the links from my home page. I'm expecting more YHBL photos
shortly...
Enjoy,
Mark
--
Mark Eaton mailto:eaton@best.com
SFBirds Web Page http://www.best.com/~eaton
Golden Gate Audubon Web Page http://goldengate.ca.audubon.org
"Adults are nothing but used up children."
- writer Theodore Geisel, aka Dr. Seuss
--------------- MESSAGE sfbirds.v001.n295.4 ---------------
From: Harry Fuller
Subject: frecent birds
Date: Mon, 01 Nov 1999 09:22:18 -0800
Saturday at Charleston Slough: pair of BW Teal, one Les Scaup, no
Bufflehead yet, two Hooded Merganser, ten BLack Skimmers plus all the usual
winter birds
Sunday: missed the Trop Kingbird two blocks from my own house...didn't even
see Turnstones when I walked down to Land's End...there were 6 R-n Ducks in
Baths where small population will be found most days until March
Mon AM: West Wash Sharpie, SP Towhee + most of the usual wintering
gleaners and seedeaters...still not many YRWA around though
--------------- MESSAGE sfbirds.v001.n295.5 ---------------
From: Harry Fuller
Subject: [SBB] Morning birds, evening birds, and pure gold
Date: Mon, 01 Nov 1999 12:50:40 -0800
nolte below outlines great local spot for Lawrence's Goldfinches
---------------------- Forwarded by Harry Fuller on 11/01/99 01:58 PM
---------------------------
Original Message from eisner@slac.stanford.edu on 11/01/99 10:13:29 AM
To: south-bay-birds@lists.stanford.edu
cc:
Subject: [SBB] Morning birds, evening birds, and pure gold
South Bay Birders:
On Sunday morning (Oct. 31) I visited the Spring Valley section of Ed
Levin
Park, the Sierra Road summit, and several spots around Alviso. At Ed
Levin,
arboreal passerine activity was very low. I did see a hybrid male Flicker
(it
had reddish shafts, but the red and black head markings and pale face of a
male Yellow-Shafted; I didn't get an adequate look at the crown). There
were
also two Red-Breasted Sapsuckers, closely associating with each other and
softly vocalizing. On one of these the pale panels running down the sides
of
the back were white, on the other they were brown -- is that a sign of an
immature bird?
Sierra Road was dull: none of the more interesting raptors, and no
Larks
or Pipits. (The grass in most places is now too high for observing such
spe-
cie easily, or perhaps even to high to attract them?) I spent some time
with
a group of Savannah Sparrows about 1/4 mile east of the summit, because I
thought I saw a Vesper Sparrow with them; but I couldn't confirm it, so
it's
best left as a "possible". Finally, a noisy flock of at least a dozen
White-Throated Swifts was in the area repeatedly (I assume it was one
flock).
Back in the lowlands, there were a Golden Eagle (probably an adult) and
a
Peregrine Falcon (adult) perched along the EEC entrance road.
Late afternoon I headed for the Charleston Slough levee, arriving at
the
same time as John Meyer. When we reached Allan Woolfolk (sp?) not far up
the
levee at 4:50, he said he had already had a binocular view of a Short-Eared
Owl. Soon thereafter we started to get better and better views of two of
them, through at least 5:15. Perhaps the warm calm weather brought them
out
earlier? [I had had no luck on Friday in windy, chilly conditions -- that
day
I first saw a pale Barn Owl at about 6:30 (PDT), and when a darker owl
appeared
nearly 10 minutes later it was too dark to identify.] Certainly the most
exciting moments of the day! Also seen was one Barn Owl [tawnier than the
one
I'd seen on Friday], at least 5 Kites, and at least 3 Harriers.
On to Monday morning.... For several years at about this time, I've
found
that the Palo Alto Hills Golf and Country Club apparently attracts
migrating
Lawrence's Goldfinches. Perhaps it is the combination of open areas with
lots
of pines. I haven't tried to track their numbers through the season, and I
have never yet found them there for the CBC. Anyway, today's observations
far surpassed anything I've seen in the past: there were a MINIMUM of
45 Lawrence's Goldfinch -- counted in one flock on the ground; there were
quite likely some additional outliers. (This was a pure flock -- I did see
Lesser's on the golf course, but not in the same location.) The same area
had
about a dozen Western Bluebirds and lots of Yellow-Rumped Warblers, making
for
a great deal of activity. Other than those, I mainly saw typical oak
species.
The particular area today was northeast of the restroom. (The restroom is
located by the 15th tee, along the west edge of the course, where there's
an
open view to the Arastadero Preserve. One can get here by walking in along
the service road from near the end of Alexis Drive.)
Monday is by far the best day to visit the PAHGCC, because the course
is
usually closed except to staff. (It's a maintenance day, so you have to
put up
with some noisy equipment.) If you do go on another day, go early, and
stay
far away from and out of the way of any golfers. Of course, avoid walking
on
greens at all.
Cheers, Al
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--------------- MESSAGE sfbirds.v001.n295.6 ---------------
From: Gasstation@aol.com
Subject: Phoebe hat trick
Date: Mon, 1 Nov 1999 16:46:44 EST
Hello, this morning at 9:15 I had an Eastern Phoebe in Golden Gate Park.
The bird was in the clearing east of the archery range. If you were to walk
all the way to the back corner of the archery range, and then up the hill
you
would be there. It is just north of the small utility shack for the golf
course. I had good looks at the bird perched on one of the snags for about a
minute until it flew off when several joggers, dogs and a Cooper's Hawk
converged on the area. I searched for twenty minutes and was unable to
re-find. The bird was silent while I watched it, but I did hear what I think
was the bird calling a bit after it vanished. Another search at 12:30
produced no results. Black Phoebes are in that area. A Say's Phoebe at the
soccer field completed the hat trick.
Other birds of note: At Middle Lake; a imm. male BUOR, WTSP, 2 OCWA,
VATH, RBSA. TCBL at the paddock, NOMO, WETA and AMPI at soccer field, EUWI
at
Lloyd Lake, LISP at Mallard Lake, 22 KILL at Polo fields (15 at paddock)
Kevin McKereghan
Gasstation@aol.com
--------------- END sfbirds.v001.n295 ---------------